BookTalk at BSC concludes Vietnam series March 6
Published: Feb 22 2016
The last discussion in the “Vietnam: War Stories” BookTalk series at Bismarck State College takes place Sunday, March 6, from 1 to 3 p.m. in Skogen Hall, the new Library-English-Art building at 1400 Schafer Street.
“Going After Cacciato” by Tim O’Brien records the dream journey of Paul Berlin, a U.S. infantryman in Vietnam, while alternating with the realities of war. The story traces the events that ensue after Cacciato, a member of Berlin’s squad, decides to go AWOL by walking from Vietnam to France through Asia.
AnnMarie Kajencki, BSC professor of English, leads the discussion of this complex book about a soldier who decides to run away from the war.
“Going After Cacciato” won the National Book Award in 1979. Chapters read like short stories and several were published separately. Two tales, “Night March” and “Speaking of Courage,” won O. Henry awards.
O’Brien served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968-70. A Minnesota native and Harvard University graduate, he held the endowed chair in the Texas State University MFA program from 2003-12. His work has been awarded the Pritzker Military Library Literature Award, James Fenimore Cooper Prize for best historical fiction, and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize Foundation’s Richard C. Holbrooke Distinguished Achievement Award.
BookTalk discussions are open to all and include refreshments. The program is funded by the BSC Library and a grant from the BSC Foundation.
About Bismarck State College
Bismarck State College, an innovative community college in Bismarck, N.D., offers high quality education, workforce training, and enrichment programs reaching local and global communities.